Ballistic hood
A ballistic hood is part of a projectile for firearms .
The ballistic hood is used to improve external ballistics and is always used when the front part of the projectile in the direction of flight (“tip”) has a shape that is due to the design
- is aerodynamically unfavorable (e.g. in relation to flight at supersonic speed )
- or has a shape that can hinder insertion into the barrel of the weapon (→ load jam )
- Has components that must be specially protected
These cases are given at
- Hollow point bullets of some cartridges for hunting
- Shaped charge and other armor-piercing projectiles for guns
- Bullet with a special shape and features of the bullet tip for special applications.
Ballistic hoods are mostly made of plastic for small ammunition . Thin-walled metal is used in ammunition for guns.
Even if the term “hood” suggests a “hat-like” design, a ballistic hood is also used when a specially shaped body is inserted into the tip of the projectile.
The ballistic hood usually has no influence on the effect of the projectile in the target. In the case of rifle ammunition with a hollow point, the ballistic hood is also used to initiate and strengthen the process of "mushrooming" (enlarged cross-section) of the projectile.
literature
- Karl Sellier, Beat P. Kneubuehl , Wound ballistics and their ballistic basics , 2001, page 216, ISBN 978-3-540-66604-2